Electrolyzing unit



April 29, 1969 FORNONI ELECTROLYZING UNIT ofIS Shee t Filed May 5, 1965 mZEm mZEO EO q KUN JOEFOMJU \M .l I I 5.5 :xu q 240 22 3355 A W 5.3%: kw o o o o o o o o o o o o o o l l uzEm Q i i .50 uoz Ezu 1 Eaomw: is? U UUQUU UUUU a l I I I l I I I I I I I I I I I l l I w 5E3 ATTORNEY April 29, 1969 1.. FORNONI ELECTROLYZ-ING UNIT Sheet Filed may 5 1965 mmwOQEOUmQ United States Patent 3,441,492 ELECTROLYZING UNIT Luigi Fornoni, Rua Ibitirana No. 2198, Vila Prudente, Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil Filed May 5, 1965, Ser. No. 453,395 Claims priority, application Brazil, May 5, 1964, 158,913 Int. Cl. C22d 1/04 US. Cl. 204-220 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An electrolyzing unit which comprises an assembly of at least two electrolyzing elements each having a graphite anode and a moving mercury cathode, and an assembly of at least two decomposing elements. The electrolyzing elements are electrically connected in series, and the moving layer of mercury of each electrolyzing element is in closed circuit with the mercury in the corresponding decomposing element, but is electrically separated from the mercury in each adjacent electrolyzing element or decomposing element. The entire system of electrical bars of the electrolyzing unit is arranged substantially on the upper part of the elements making up the unit.

This invention relates to an electrolyzing unit which is composed of an assemblage of at least two electrolyzing elements and a corresponding assemblage of at least two decomposing elements.

The invention is particularly suited for making use of continuous current of high voltage and low amperage for electrolytic dissociation of electrolytes, and makes possible the economical construction of small installations whereas with high amperage this is not possible.

At present electrolyzers, with the corresponding decomposer, are installed side by side, and usually in two rows so that the electrical circuit will form a ring, with consequent economy in the bus bars and reduction of current losses. The electrical interconnection of the continuous feed current of the electrolyzers is of the in series type, so that the current passes from one electrolyzer to the other, entering one set of metallic anode bars (of copper or aluminum) in electrical contact with the graphite of the anodes, passes through the graphite anodes, passes through the brine (electrolyte) providing electrolysis, and enters the mercury cathode, which in turn is in electrical contact with the iron base of the cathode, which transfers the current to the set of cathode bars connected to the iron base of the electrolyzer. These bars lead upward and transfer the current to the set of anode bars in the cover of the next electrolyzer. The anode bars are located above the cover of the vat and the cathode bars below the bottom of the vat. At the sides are the connecting bars of the anode and cathode sets, so as to permit the inclusion of a supplementary set of bars making it possible, when necessary, to shortcircuit the electrolyzers with a bypass switch. Around each electrolyzer and decomposer there must be iree space for the passage of workmen, and the connecting bars must consequently pass under the floor of the work area. A concrete slab is thus necessary for installation of the electrolyzers and decomposers, with supports of concrete, pillars, columns and beams of great strength. For this reason the industrial construction has a ground floor and an intermediate stage supporting the electrolyzers for the service workers, but particularly for passage of the electrical connecting bars.

My invention is characterized, among other things, by the fact that the system of electrical connecting bars is 3,441,492 Patented Apr. 29, 1969 "ice arranged essentially in the upper part of the electrolyzing elements which constitute the electrolyzing unit, making unnecessary any prolongation or branch below them; or, in other words, by the fact that the system of electrical connection bars is installed upward from the vat and not downward, thus making possible a construction much more economical than existing types, with greater productive capacity and reduction of useful space occupied, something that cannot be accomplished with high amperages. Better use is made of continuous current of high voltage and low amperage for electrolytic dissociation of all electrolytes.

It also makes possible the economy of one floor in construction of the building intended for such operations, and permits the construction of solid vats. It substantially reduces the expense in the system of electrical conductor bars and loss of current. It reduces the expense for electrical rectifiers. It facilitates the periodic replacement of the graphite with less loss of production. It facilitates partial regulation of the electrodes, with economy of current. It permits the production of purer chlorine, reducing the danger of explosion and also permitting reduction in the number of skilled workers and technicians.

An electrolyzing unit embodying the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 shows the decomposer unit.

FIGURE 2 shows the electrolyzing units.

FIGURES 3 and 4 show the system of electrical bus bars of the unit, FIGURE 3 showing the cathode bus bars arranged transversely on the electrolyzing elements and FIGURE 4 showing the anode bus bars.

FIGURE 5 is a transverse section of the decomposer with a corresponding number of elements containing graphite plates.

FIGURES 6 and 7 are longitudinal sections of the electrolyzing element and the decomposing element, respectively.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a vat 1 of an electrolyzing element having a closed lower part in which is formed a plurality of channels 2. A cathode bus bar 3 is laid in each channel 2 so as to be easily removable and replaceable. The cathode bus bar 3 is a hollow iron casing which contains appropriately arranged plates 4 of copper or other conducting material, and is provided with one or more columns 5 depending on the length of the bar and consequently of the electrolyzing element. The top of each column 5 of each cathode bus bar 3 extends beyond the top of the rubber cover 6 of the electrolyzing element and is connected to an anode bus bar 7 of the next adjacent electrolyzing element by means of an electrical connector 8.

The anode bus bar 7 is U-shaped and has a cross-sectional area suitable for the current intensity and to support graphite anodes 9 by means of respective rods 10 and nuts 14 which permit individual height regulation of the anodes 9. The anode bus bar 7 is also provided with lateral supports 11 which rest on supporting surfaces 12 of the vats, and permit vertical movement by means of regulating screws 13 to regulate the height of the anode structure.

In FIGURE 2 there is provided a graphic demonstration of the construction of this electrolyzing assemblage, which is made up, purely for purposes of illustration, of four electrolyzing elements 15. In the first element is shown the vat 1 and the cathode bus bar 3 in electrical contact with the mercury cathode. In the second element is shown the graphite anodes 9 arranged longitudinally, covering the vat and the anode bus bar 7. In the third element is shown the rubber cover '6, which covers the electrodes. In the fourth element is shown the anode 3 bus bar 7 with its lateral supports 11 arranged above the cover 6.

The circles 16 indicate the columns which make contact with the cathode bus bar 3 from which derive the connections with the connectors 8, as may be seen more fully in FIGURE 3. The decomposing assemblage, seen in FIGURE 1, comprises a number of decomposing elements, each made up of graphite plates 17 regularly distributed along the respective element, coincident in number with the electrolyzing elements. The electrolyzing assemblage and the decomposing assemblage are joined to form the electrolyzing unit.

FIG. 1 provides a graphic demonstration of the construction of this electrolyzing unit, which is made up, purely for purposes of illustration, of four elements 15. In the first element the vat 1 and the cathode beam 3 may be seen. In the second element may be seen the graphite electrodes 9 arranged longitudinally, covering the vat and the beam. In the third element may be seen the cover 6, which in this case need not be of sheet metal, but of rubber. This lid covers the electrodes. In the fourth element may be seen that anode beam 7 with the respective lateral supports, arranged above the cover.

The circle 16 indicates the columns 5 which make contact with the cathode beam 3 from which derive the connections with the bundles of electroconductive plates 8, as may be seen more fully in FIG. 3 of Sheet 2 of the drawings. The decomposer, seen in FIG. 2, is normally made up of plates 17 regularly distributed along the respective elements, coincident in number with the elements of the electrolyzer, thus jointly forming this electrolyzing unit.

My invention being thus set forth above, I will now 'formulate the claims which constitute my patent and for which I demand the protection of the law.

I claim:

1. An electrolyzing unit comprising an assembly of at least two generally parallel electrolyzing elements each having a vat provided with a cover and containing a graphite anode above a moving mercury cathode, and an assembly of at least two generally parallel decomposing elements, the electrolyzing elements being electrically connected in series, the moving layer of mercury of each electrolyzing element being in closed circuit with the mercury in the corresponding decomposing element, but being electrically separated from the mercury in each adjacent electrolyzing element or decomposing element, each electrolyzing element having a system of each said vat has a closed lower portion, and at least one channel therein, and said cathode bus bar .is disposed within said channel so as to be easily'removable and replaceable.

3. An electrolyzing unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein said cathode bus bar is hollow and contains a plurality of plates of electrical conducting material.

4. An electrolyzing unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein said electrically connecting means includes at least one column to which said cathode bus bar is connected, said column extending beyond the top of the electrolyzing element and connected with the anode bus bar of the next adjacent electrolyzing element by means of an electrical connector.

5. An electrolyzing unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein said anode bus bar has a cross-sectional'area suitable for the current intensity and to support said graphite anodes, said anode bus bar also being provided with latteral supports and adjustment means which permit vertical movement to regulate the height of said graphite anodes.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,614,977 10/1952 Wood et al. 204-219 951,229 3/1910 Whiting 204220 1,420,211 6/1922 Paulus 204-220 2,919,237 12/1959 Szechtman 204219 X 3,310,482 3/1967 Bon et al. 20425O X JOHN H. MACK, Primary Examiner. D. R. VALENTINE, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 204250 

